Counties to see increase in hazmat assessment

The Fort Dodge-based Region V Hazmat, to which Calhoun County belongs, is in need of a new hazardous materials response truck, Calhoun County Emergency Management Agency Coordinator Steve O’Connor told the Board of Supervisors Nov. 28.
But O’Connor said he was concerned about previous discussions by the Region V board that seemed to focus solely on buying a new Toyne vehicle, which would cost about $650,000. Other Iowa regions use a semi-tractor pulling a large trailer, custom designed to store the same hazardous response materials and equipment, O’Connor said, and a truck-trailer combination could cost about half as much as a special hazmat truck. 
Read more in the Dec. 6 edition.